One health benefit product that has recently fascinated and captured the attention of many is CBD. Several enthusiasts have sworn that CBD products offer a host of health and therapeutic benefits. These claims are also not baseless as some scientific research has hinted at these benefits and even made efforts to explain how they work.
Most of these researches were done on animals and manufacturers soon started making products infused with cannabidiol that were specifically for pets. Today, we have so many CBD pet products in so many forms, and CBD cat treats happens to be one of them. A lot of people have continuously claimed that these treats and their cats are a perfect match.
But has anyone ever stopped to wonder how these products work? What makes them so good for our furry friends? These are the questions this article will be exploring. But before we go into that, let us take a brief look at what CBD is.
What is CBD
CBD is an acronym for the word cannabidiol. It belongs to a group of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Therefore, cannabidiol is derived from cannabis plants and happens to be one compound that is very abundant in these plants.
CBD can be leave it challenge gotten from any cannabis plant, however, the cannabidiol used for these commercial products like cat treats are derived from hemp. Why? Remember we said that there are other cannabinoids in cannabis plants, and as we know, cannabis plants have certain psychoactive properties.
The cannabinoid that is responsible for this psychoactive characteristic of cannabis plants is THC. Hemp happens to have not more than 0.3 percent of THC. This makes it the perfect source for cannabidiol as only cannabidiol products with nothing more than 0.3 percent of THC are considered legal.
This is due to the 2018 Farm Bill; you can visit here https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/12/14/the-farm-bill-hemp-and-cbd-explainer/ to learn more about this. Also, because these products do not contain too much THC, they can’t get you or your pets high. However, they offer almost the same therapeutic effects that THC does.
This is wonderful news for people who desire this therapeutic relief but want nothing to do with the high that THC brings.
Cat treats infused with cannabidiol came into existence because manufacturers started thinking that since this cannabinoid is beneficial to humans, it must also be to animals. They certainly weren’t wrong on that since it has been proven that cannabinoids work in animals the same way they do in humans. This brings us to the crux of this read. How does cannabidiol works?
CBD – How it Works
Cats and humans alike have a system known as endocannabinoid. This system is made up of several neurotransmitters and receptors and is present in every mammal. This system is what backs up the many workings of cannabinoids in the body and is what brings about the numerous effects they have on the body.
Simply put, the endocannabinoid system is what makes mammals (humans, dogs, and cats alike) capable of responding and interacting with cannabinoids.
So, when your cat takes CBD, the compound will interact with the endocannabinoid receptors present in various parts of the body. Take for instance your pet has anxiety, some particular receptors are responsible for this. The compound will then interact with this receptor and in turn, ease your pet’s anxiety.
Now, you may understand how this product will work in the body of your pet, but you may be wondering if there are any risks attached to it. Trust us, we understand your fear, it merely shows that you are a good cat parent.
As we have said, this health option is all-natural. However, this does not mean that there aren’t some risks attached to its use. Still, your pet is only put in harm’s way if it is given way more CBD cat treat than it needs.
The quantity of this product you give to your pet should be based on its size. This is because the size of your pet is what determines its metabolism rate. You can read this to learn how size influences metabolism. Therefore, ensure you find out the right quantity of CBD for the size of your pet.
Despite there being side effects, these effects are mostly not lethal and are very easy to detect. Some of the symptoms your cat may develop from taking too much CBD cat treats include diarrhea, fatigue, weight change, appetite change, and so on.
If you notice these symptoms in your pet, you need to check the amount of CBD cat treats you are giving it and reduce it if need be.
While some research has been done as regards the use of CBD for medical purposes, a lot more research still needs to be done. Therefore, it will be wise to talk to your vet if you decide to give this product to your pet. Especially if your furry friend is already on other medications. The product may react adversely with some medications. This will only create more issues in the long run.
Conclusion
Cannabidiol products are very popular for pets. However, most people do not know how these products work in the body of their pets. Endocannabinoid is the system in the body that makes the body able to interact with cannabinoids. However, knowing how the product works in your pet’s body is not enough. If you choose to give your cat CBD cat treats, you must ensure you give it the right dose to prevent adverse effects.
